The Makati Stand-off. What the ????

Yesterday, Sen. Trillanes and Gen. Lim walked out of their hearing at the Makati Regional Trial Court and went to "siege" Manila Peninsula in an attempt to force PGMA to resign. The thing is, the whole situation felt useless after their surrender later that day. Like the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny, it did not do us any good. Worse, the Manila Pen incident subjected the media men and women to harsh violations of their freedom. These people were simply doing their job, trying to bring the necessary information for the public to know and see, and yet I felt they were used and abused, both by Trillanes' group and the PNP.

Let me be clear, however, that this sentiment does not mean I do not agree with what Trillanes' and his group fight for. But then again, don't engage in something you're unsure of yourselves. It just makes the people more frustrated and the country's situation more frustrating!

As a last note, we condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the arbitrary and unwarranted arrests and detention of the media by the PNP. The government showed no mercy in its attempt to put things "under control", destroying properties and endangering the lives of civilians, including the media with their "tear gas". Thereafter, arresting them (the media) despite proper ID. It was an overkill. And it spells - VIOLATION in every angle.

For whatever its worth, it did validate how "ruthless", as Trillanes' said, and how little respect this present administration has for its people and their rights. It proves to us, once more, what PGMA will do to stay and keep herself in power. Trillanes' and Lim et. al. have every reason to feel the way they do. And I sympathize. Most of us feel that way, too. But please, do what you think you "need" to do in a manner that actually "change" things --- for the "better", and not for "worse". - aleta